The Lemonheads

The Lemonheads (Vagrant)

By Anne C. Johnson
Published: September 25th, 2006 | 1:55pm

For the first Lemonheads’ record in a decade, Evan Dando wanted to make another loud record. As Dando had done with the Lemonheads many times in the past — the band reportedly has had more than a dozen drummers and over ten bassists in their lineup — he enlisted former drummer of the Descendents and Black Flag, Bill Stevenson (who co-produced with Dando) and bassist Karl Alvarez, also of the Descendents, a band that made a huge impact on the Lemonheads when they formed twenty years ago.

From the moment the feedback comes screeching out on “Black Gown,” it becomes clear which direction The Lemonheads will take and that road leads to Dando’s musical past and squarely into Husker Du territory, whose noisy pop punk was a huge influence, whether he knows it or not. As is the case with any thinking musician these days, politics inevitably filter in (“Let’s Just Laugh,” “In Passing”), but most of the songs dwell upon the complexity of adult relationships. Dando’s formerly blasé vocals have distinctly matured and can be deeply affecting (“Steve’s Boy”).

In the years that followed the success of Nirvana, the Lemonheads and other “alternative” acts crossed over and saturated commercial airwaves. Dando’s chiseled good looks even helped him to be named one of People magazine’s fifty most beautiful people in 1993. Dando had indeed become the enemy. He is fortunately redeemed on this honest and humble return that proves that Evan Dando has not forgotten where he came from.